Good Tires for Bad Weather
Making sure your tires are in good condition to handle the winter snow and ice is crucial for staying safe on your daily commute. Check these two things today:
- Tire Tread Depth: One of the most important indicators of tire traction is the tread depth. Tires with worn-down tread (less than 2/32 of an inch) can significantly reduce traction, especially in wet, snowy, or icy conditions. You can check this by using a tread depth gauge or the “penny test.” Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it means the tread is too shallow, and your tires likely don’t have sufficient traction.
- Tire Pressure: Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can affect how much contact they have with the road, reducing traction. Make sure to regularly check your tire pressure and maintain it at the recommended level (usually found in your car’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame). Of course, we’re always glad to help you with this, too!
Driving Techniques in Snow and Ice
Slow Down
First, drive slower than normal to prevent losing traction. Traction refers to the grip or friction between your vehicle’s tires and the road surface. It’s what allows your tires to maintain contact with the road, helping your car move, stop, and steer effectively. When there is good traction, your car can accelerate smoothly, brake safely, and turn without sliding or losing control. Snowy or icy conditions reduce traction on the road surface making it harder for the tires to grip the ground.
Anticipate
When approaching intersections or curves, reduce your speed well in advance to give yourself more time to react if traction is bad and you start to slide.
Space
Maintain a greater following distance than usual—at least eight to ten seconds behind the vehicle in front of you—since stopping distances on snow and ice can be much longer than on dry pavement.
Practice
Know how to regain control of your vehicle if you start to slide. If your rear tires begin to skid, gently steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, and avoid slamming on the brakes – that can make things worse really fast. If your car starts to hydroplane on snow or slush, ease off the gas, and steer straight until you regain traction. Practice these techniques in a safe, empty parking lot away so you are prepared to drive in the next big winter storm.